Match booklet



W. LANG MATCH BOOKLET- Nov. 24, 1942.

Filed Dec. 4, 1940 INVENTOR Wf/lmm Lang Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITEDSTATES iJ-tT LENT OFFICE,

MATCH BOOKLET William Lang, McKeesport, Pa.

Application December 4, 1940, Serial No. 368,488

15 Claims.

This invention relates to match booklets and particularly to that typeof match booklets which contain pull-matches, which matches ignite whilebeing pulled out of the booklet.

The invention consists of a band of thick paper, cardboard or otherappropriate pliable and inflammable material of desirable dimensions,the end portions of which are divided into a series of strips somewhatlonger than the intended match. At a suitable place along each of thestrips, depending on the desired length of the matches, an ignitiblematerial is provided. Another part of the band is coated with a suitableigniting composition and the band is folded transversely so that abooklet is formed in which the tipped ends of the strips which form thematch heads or match tips are inside the booklet and the outer orgripping ends protrude. The ignitible material and the ignitingcomposition are so disposed that a match while being withdrawn from thebooklet will cause the ignitible match end to frictionally engage theigniting composition and ignite the match. The inner portion of thestrip will be drawn into the space formerly occupied bythe match portionand close it so as to prevent any stray sparks from travelling downthrough the channel between adjoining matches vacated by the match, andthus ignite the remaining match heads.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a booklet withpull-matches, which is safe to manipulate and inexpensive tomanufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and effectiveform of match-booklet in which the booklet and the matches areintegrally made of one piece of a suitable material.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a booklet whichmay be manufactured in continuous operation from a band or strip ofpliable, inflammable material such as cardboard or the like.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent likeparts in the related views, I have shown for purposes of illustrationonly, certain preferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view of a part of a band from which a match booklet ismade according to my invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the band folded and prior to stapling,

Figure 3 is a cross section of a booklet made from the band shown inFigure l,

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig 55 ure 3, but justafter a match has been withdrawn,

Figure 5 is an end View of a booklet shown after stapling,

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a modified booklet prior to stapling,

Figure '7 is a cross section of another modified form of booklet,

Figure 8 is a cross section of still another modified form of booklet,

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a modified detail,

Figure 10 is a cross-section of the detail shown in Figure 9,

Figure. 11 is an enlarged view of still another modified detail,

Figure 12 is a cross section of the detail shown in Figure 1.1,

Figure 13 is a View of a detail showing a modified match end, and

Figure 14 is a view corresponding to Figure 5, showing still anothermodification of the match booklet.

In the drawing, there is shown in Figure 1, a band or strip I0 of apliable and inflammable material as for instance cardboard from whichthe match booklet is made. The band is subdivided by transverse foldcreases ll, l2, l 3,- and I4 and transverse bend crease I5 into aplurality of sections, namely, match sections 16 and 2|, inner flaps l1and 20, and cover sections l8 and I9. Both ends of the band are slitlongitudinally along the lines 22 into match strips 23 and side tabs 24.The slits extend through sections it and 2|, and to the point 25 in theadjoining inner flap sections I! and 20, respectively. The strips 23 arelonger than the desired matches and are perforated or otherwise weakenedalong the tear line or weakened zone 26, so that each strip is frangiblydivided into two portions, the outer portion constituting a matchelement, which may be readily detached from the stub or inner portion,which extends from the tear line 26 to the point 25.

Suitable ignitible material 21 is secured to each match closely adjacentthe tear line 26, the portion of the match to which the ignitiblematerial is attached is herein referred to as the ignitible portions.Disposed on the inner flap I1, closely adjacent the fold line 12 and onthe same surface of the band as the ignitible material is secured, is amatch igniting surface 28, preferably in the shape of a transverseribbon, which extends on each side at least as far as the outer edges ofthe outside matches. So also the inner flap 20 has secured thereto asimilar igniting surface 29, disposed closely adjacent the fold line l3.

The booklet is made by folding the band It! along the fold lines II, andI4 so that the upper faces (those shown in Figure 1) of the matchsections I6 and 2| will lie along the upper faces of the inner flaps l1and 20, respectively, and the lower face of the inner flaps I! and 20will be against the lower faces of the cover sections l8 and I9respectively. Then, by bending the band around the bend crease l5 sothat the upper faces of sections l8 and I9 turn away from each other,the booklet will assume the shape shown in Figure 2. The matches 23 aredisposed in two face to face rows, but with the ignitible heads wellwithin the folds and facing in opposite directions and towards theigniting surfaces 28 and 29 respectively. After folding the band, thestaples 30 (shown in Figure 2 in the act of being applied) are passedthrough the edges of the various sections or folds and clinched. Thebooklet could of course by held in final shape, by other means thanstapling, such as for example, by pasting the edges of the sectionstogether or by banding.

The various parts are so proportioned that they assume, when folded intoa booklet, the relative positions indicated in the drawing. A typicalarrangement is that shown in section in Figure 3 in which the uppersurfaces of cover sections l8 and I9 form the. outside of the covers ofthe booklet, the sections I1 and 29 form the inner flaps, and thesections l6 and 2! form the center flaps or match sections. The relativelengths of the sections are such that the ends of the strips 23 projectabove the open end of the booklet to form gripping tabs or pull tabs.The side tabs 24 are shorter than the match strips 23 and terminate ator below the fold lines l2 and I3. longer or shorter than illustrated.The strips 23 are of such a length that when they are pulled out of thebooklet to the tearing off position, (shown in Figure 4) the tear line26 is adjacent the top of the fold 13, or fold l2 as the case may be. Inthe tearing off position the stub end of strip 23 remains attached tothe section I! and has been moved from the position shown on the rightside of Figure 3 to the position shown on the right side of Figure 4,where the stub fills up the space between adjoining strips 23, which wasvacated by the pulled out match. Closing up the vacated space prevents astray spark from the igniting match from travelling backward to thematch heads remaining in the booklet.

The booklet shown in Figure 6 is similar to the one shown in Figures 1and 2 except that the tab 24', through which a staple 30' is passed, isplaced at a position between the-matches, here shown in the middle ofthe booklet. This arrangement is slightly more economical than thatshown in Figures 1 and 2, in that only one staple is used and two extramatches provided.

In the modification shown in section in Figure 7 the ignitible material21a is provided on both sides of the matches disposed in a single row.Two igniting surfaces 28a and 28a are provided. If desired, the matchesshown in the previously described embodiments could likewise haveignitible material on both sides of the head.

The modification shown in Figure 8 is similar to that shown in Figure 7,except that the cover [81) is extended and bent to form a closing flap'32 which extends over the ends of the matches If desired, the side tabs24 may be 23b. The end of the flap is folded into the slot 33 in thecover lab,

In Figures 9 and 10, I show a modification of the match end whichpresents a greater contact area between the ignitible material 210 andthe match. By making a hole 34 in the match strip 230 near the tear line260, the ignitible material 210 will be caused to flow around andthrough the hole and cover an area around the hole on both surfaces ofthe match. This construction secures the ignitible material more firmlyin place, and presents a greater area of match end to the ignitingflame.

In the modification of the match end shown in Figures 11 and 12, thereis provided two notches 36 and 31 which extend into opposite edges ofthe match strips adjacent the tear line 26d. The ignitible compositionsurrounds the neck portion lying betwen the notches. The ignitiblematerial is locked into place and a large area of the match is exposedto the igniting flame. The exposed area of ignitible material is alsogreater than that shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 13 I present a modification of the pull tabs of the matchstrips. The tab or outer end 38 of each match strip is tapered toprovide a convenient match separating and gripping arrangement.

It is obvious that either of the constructions shown in Figures 9 and lOor in Figures 11 and 12 could be used in placeof the matchheadconstruction shown in Figure 1. The match end construction shown inFigure 13 could be used in connection with either of the constructionsof the match head shown in Figures 1, 9, and 11.

In Figure 14 there is shown a modification of the booklet of which thestructure is quite similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 through 5,but with the addition of guard flaps 39, which flaps project beyond thefold lines l2e and l3e. The flaps are formed by portions 40 and M whichare slitted from the cover sections l8 and I9 respectively, along thedotted lines shown in Figure 1. In the booklet the flaps extend upwardlyfrom the fold lines In and [3a. These guard flaps serve to preventunintentional withdrawal of the matches when the booklet is beingremoved from a container such as the user's pocket.

The embodiments of my invention which I have shown and described areeconomical to manufacture, convenient to use, and provide unusual safetyfeatures.

While I have described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, itwill be understood that various changes may be resorted to and theinvention otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A match booklet comprising an integral strip having an end portionslitted to form a plurality of detachable match elements, said elementshaving ignitible portions spaced inwardly from the free ends of saidelements, a striking surface spaced from the end portion the strip beingfolded upon itself in such manner that the ignitible portions are towardthe closed end of the fold, and the striking surface is adjacent an openend of the fold whereby the removal of a match element from the foldedbooklet causes the ignitible portion to pass across the strikingsurface, the portion of the strip intermediate the striking surface andmatch elements supporting the detachable elements in the fold.

2. A match booklet comprising an integral strip having an end portionslitted to form a plurality of detachable match elements and stubportions each separately connected to a match element, a weakened zonebetween the match elements and the stub portions, said elements havingignitible portions spaced inwardly from the free ends of said elements,the strip being folded upon itself in such manner that the ignitibleportions are toward the closed end of the fold, and means for fasteningthe folds together.

3. A match booklet comprising an integral strip having an end portionslitted to form a plurality of detachable match elements, said elementshaving ignitible portions spaced inwardly from the free ends of saidelements, the strip being folded upon itself in such manner that theignitible portions are toward the closed end of the fold, the striphaving a striking surface thereon adjacent an open end of the foldwhereby the removal of a match element from the folded booklet causesthe ignitible portion to pass across the striking surface, and means forfastening the folds together.

4. A match booklet comprising an integral strip having an end portionslitted to form a plurality of detachable match elements, and a stubportion frangibly attached to each match element and integral with thestrip, said elements having ignitible portions spaced inwardly from thefree ends of said elements, the strip being folded upon itself in suchmanner that the ignitible portions are toward the closed end of thefold, the strips having a striking surface thereon adjacent an open endof the fold whereby the removal of a match element from the foldedbooklet causes the ignitible portion to pass across the striking surfaceand moves the attached stub portion to a position where it will closeoil at least a part of the space vacated by the withdrawn match element.

5. A match booklet comprising an integral strip having an end portionslitted to form a plurality of detachable match elements and attachedstub portions, a weakened zone dividing the match elements and the stubportions, said elements having ignitible portions spaced inwardly fromthe free ends of said elements and outwardly of the weakened zone, thestrip being folded upon itself in such manner that the ignitibleportions are toward the closed end of the fold, said match elementshaving a reduced cross section at the ignitible portions.

6. A match booklet comprising an integral strip having an end portionslitted to form a plurality of detachable match elements and attachedstub portions, a weakened zone dividing the match elements and the stubportions, said elements having ignitible portions spaced inwardly fromthe free ends of said elements and outwardly of the weakened zone, thestrip being folded upon itself in such manner that the ignitibleportions are toward the closed end of the fold, said match elementshaving a reduced cross section at the ignitible portions and full crosssectional area on both sides adjacent the ignitible portions.

7. A match booklet having an open end and a closed end made from a bandof pliable inflammable material, comprising two cover sections, aninwardly folded inner flap section, a match section integral with theflap section, slits extending from the interior of the flap section andthrough the match section to divide the material into strips, a tearline extending across the strips in the match section and frangiblydividing each strip into a match and a stub attached to the flap, andignitible material secured to the match adjacent the tear line.

8. A match booklet having an open end and a closed end made from a bandof pliable inflammable material, comprising two cover sections, aninwardly folded inner flap section, a match section integral with theflap section, slits extending from the interior of the flap section andthrough the match section to divide the material into strips, a tearline extending across the strips in the match section and frangiblydividing each strip into a match and a stub attached to the flap,ignitible material secured to the match adjacent the tear line, and anarea of igniting composition on the flap section, distant from the matchsection and so located as to be engaged by the ignitible material whenthe match has been substantially withdrawn from the booklet.

9. A match booklet having an open end and a closed end made from a bandof pliable inflammable material, comprising two cover sections, aninwardly folded inner flap section, a match section integral with theflap section, slits extending from the interior of the flap section andthrough the match section to divide the material into strips, a tearline extending across the strips in the match section and frangiblydividing each strip into a match and a stub attached to the flap,ignitible material secured to the match adjacent the tear line, and anarea of igniting composition on the flap section, distant from the matchsection and so located as to be engaged by the ignitible material whenthe match has been substantially withdrawn from the booklet, the lengthof the match and the stub being such that when the match is withdrawnfrom the booklet the stub will be drawn into the space vacated by thewithdrawn match.

10. A match booklet having an open end and a closed end made from a bandof pliable inflammable material, comprising two cover sections, aninwardly folded inner flap section, a match section integral with theflap section, slits extending from the interior of the flap section andthrough the match section to divide the material into strips, a tearline extending across the strips in the match section and frangiblydividing each strip into a match and a stub attached to the flap,ignitible material secured to the match adjacent the tear line, and anarea of igniting composition on the flap section, distant from the matchsection and so located as to be engaged by the ignitible material whenthe match has been substantially withdrawn from the booklet, and meansto secure the sections in face to face position.

11. A match booklet having an open end and a closed end made from a bandof pliable inflammable material, comprising two cover sections. aninwardly folded inner flap section, a match section integral with theflap section, slits extending from the interior of the flap section andthrough the match section to divide the material into match strips andat least one tab, the match strips being frangibly divided into matchelements and stubs, the stubs being integral with the flap section,ignitible material on each match element adjacent the stub, an ignitingsurface on the flap section to engage the ignitible material when thematch has been substantially withdrawn from the booklet, and meanspassing through the cover sections and a tab to secure the sectionsinface to face relationship.

12. A match booklet made from a strip of pliable inflammable material,divided transversely into sections arranged end to end, comprising twoadjoining cover sections, an inwardly folded inner flap adjoining onecover section, a match section adjoining the inner flap and projectingwhen folded beyond the line of juncture of the one cover section and theinner flap, the other cover section being folded over the exposed matchends and overlapping the said line of juncture, the said match sectionand an adjoining portion of the inner flap being slit into match strips,each match strip having a tear line which divides the strip into a matchand a stub, the stub being secured to the inner flap, said matcheshaving an ignitible material disposed thereon near the tear line.

13. A match booklet having an open end and a closed end made from a bandof pliable inflammable material, comprising two cover sections, aninwardly folded inner flap section, a match section integral with theflap section, slits extending from the interior of the flap section andthrough the match section to divide the material into strips, a tearline extending across the strips in the match section and frangiblydividing each strip into a match and a stub attached to the flap,ignitible material secured to the match adjacent the tear line, and anarea of igniting composition on the flap section, distant from the matchsection and so located as to be engaged by the ignitible material whenthe match has been substantially withdrawn from the booklet, at leastone of said cover sections having a portion which extends beyond theopen end of the booklet.

14. A match booklet including an integral band having an end portionslitted to form a plurality of continuous parallel strips, a tear lineextend ing transversely across the slitted end portion frangiblydividing each strip into a stub portion attached to the body of the bandand a match element attached to the stub portion, each of said matchelements having an ignitible portion adjacent the tear line.

15. A match booklet wherein individual match elements are withdrawnbetween folds on which are formed striking surfaces, comprising a bandhaving a longitudinally slitted end portion forming a plurality ofindividual strips attached at one end to the band, said strips beingweakened intermediate the ends thereof to form a tear line, each striphaving ignitible material thereon between its free end and the weakenedzone and forming a match element, the remainder of each strip betweenthe weakened zone and the juncture of the strip with the band comprisinga stub which is adapted to be moved upon withdrawal of a single matchelement into the space previously occupied by the removed match element.

WILLIAM LANG.

